Apparatus for handling molten metal



Nov. 28, 1967 A. CALDERON APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MOLTEN METAL 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 17, 1964 Nov. 28, 1967 A. CALDERON APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MOLTEN METAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1964 le. I-A

INVENTOR. l @LEE/2r CmoERoN BY MM50/v, SETTL E RQIG QTTQENE V5 Nov. 2s, 1967 A CALDERON sswse APPARATUS FORl HANDLING MOLTEN METAL Filed July 17, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 if I! INVENTOR. 6MB/:RT Cmnt-RON BY MM50/uj 5577?. E z Cmq/G Q TTo/EMEYS Nov. 2s, l1967 A, CALDERON 3,354,939

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MOLTEN METAL Filed July 17, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 771 lvrfi l 775 l --lol I O no l, 121 @-66 l. 3? i' *l INVENTOR QLaERT CALDERON BY 7516.6 dA/.50@ 55771. E @Qq/6 Q1-mensys Nov. 2s, 1967 A CALDERON' 3,354,939

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MOLTEN METAL Filed July 17, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,j Y \173 INVENTOR ,QLBERT CHLDEea/U BY United States Patent 'Oiilce APPARATUS, FR HANDLING MQLTEN METAL Albert Calderon, (`,fl e\ 'eland, Ohio, SSigllQl to Calderon` Ail'foniation, Inc., Cleveland, Ollio` Filed July 17, 1964, ser. NO sssss 12 Claims'. "(Cl. 16'4'-'254) The present invention relates to apparatus for handling molten metal,- eg., for pouring molten steel from a re'- ceptacle or ladle into an ingot mold, into a dega'ssir'lg'v apparatus, or into a continuons casting apparatus. More particularly, this invention pertains to the dispensing of molten steel in the forni of a controlled vnon-turbulent ilow directly from a receptacle to a 'point of use.

For many lyears, steel making furnaces were tapped by allowingmolten steel to flow into a ladle. The ladle is suhsequently transferredto the ingot n'fold or other point of use, and a valve mechanism on the ladle is actuated manally or by means of a cylinder to allow molten steel to ow through a refractory nozzle located in the bottom of the ladle. Conventional ladles utilize a va'lving mechanism including an annular nozzle xedly located at the bottom of the ladle and having an upper recess or well which is concave' in shape to receivev the low'er end of a stopper rod which projectsupw'ardly from the nozzle through the ladle for connection to an external actuating linkage. This stopper rodhas at its lower end a refractory head cooperating with the concave pper end of the nozzle to seal the nozzle opening. The `'stopper rod itself is surrounded by ceramic sleeve sectionsthroughout thelength of the rod exposed to the molten steel and the external linkage s arranged 'so that molten steel is dispensed from the ladle when the rod is elevated from the nozzle.

The ladle valve strct'ure has been used for a long period of time even though it suffers from the deficiencies of (l) extremely poor control of the rate of ow through the nozzle opening, since the nozzle essentially is either open or shut and there is no t'ue ilo'w control by virtue of the positioning of the stopper rod relative to the nozzle; (2) the rod, because of its ceramic covering, is less dense than the molten steel and tends to oat upwardly away from the nozzle, usually misaligning the rod with the nozzle once the nozzle is open; (3) the flow rate from the nozzle changes, since the nozzle erodes rapidly and the ferros'tatic head of ymolten metal changes as the metal I level drops and there is no elfective flow control by the stopper rod; (4) the flow through the nozzle opening necessarily is turbulent because of the restriction to flow presented by the Vstopper head construction; and (5) th'e molten metal imparts upon an ingot mold or other receptacle with substantial shock, due to 'the density of the steel andthe ferrs'tatic head. I v

Because of these de'ciencie's in the present 'ladle dispensing valve structure, various eXpedients have been adopted in the lilling of molds or 'in other processes sing molten steel. For example, in the So-called continuous casting process, it has prbve'd' impossible to pour molten steel directly frein a ladle into the wafer Qcooked r'riold. Thus, it has beenneces'si'y to utilize a tundish or the like to establish a relatively lu'li'escent pool 'of molten steel from which molten steel can be accurately fed into the molds. Becauseof vthe' -positioning'of the tundish bei tween theV ladle and 'the mold, there is a theriral loss, the rate of pouring into arnold is not consistent due to nozzle erosion, metal inclusions and lsome oxidation of the metal. Additionally, it has been found desirable in a con# tinuous casting process to utilize degas'sing apparatus to remove from the steel any gases which might cause inclusions in the cast product. Two degassication apparatus Patented Nov. 28, 1967 are currently lin use. One such system is known as the Dortmund Herder Apparatus,- in which an evacuated chamber is positioned over a lled ladle so that the molten steel 'enters the evacuated chamber as a spray. By reciprocating the chamber verticali@ the steel can be circulat'cd and lie-circnlated through 'the chamber to remove entrapped gases. A second process, known las the Stokes process, involves the pouring of molten rne't'al from a ii'rst ladle7 into a second ladle which is positioned an evacuated chamber'. As' the 'molten steel p'olrs' into the lower chamber,- it isdegassed; The second ladle must then be removed from the chamber and the molten vrnetal poured from the second ladle in the casting apparatus.

Both of lthese degassing processes' are batch operations and inherently involve the tying' up 'of one or more ldles during the entire degassing process. r

The present invention now proposes apparatus for the dispensing of molten steel as a "controlled, n'onturbul'ent flow directly from a ladle to a point for use.

If this point of 'use is' a continous casting apparatus, the present invention eliminates the necessity for' a tundish by providing the necessary controlled, non-turbulent now directly from the ladle.

If the point of yuse is a vacuum deg'assing arrangement the molten metal is dispensed from the first receptacleof the present invention to a second similar receptacle which is closed and evacuated, so that the metal is degassed as it llowsv into the evacuated ladle. The metal then is dispensed directly from the evacuated chamber by utilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention.

If the point of use is an ingot mold; apparatusI of the present invention provides a controlled non-turbulent flow 0f metal into the mold', yso ythat splash onto tle ingot Walls is minimized, andy the presence of srfac'e yscars due to such splashing is eliminated.

structurally, the present invention proposes the provision of a nozzle and valve assembly for a molten Steel ladle, the valve being positioned completely ex'teriorly of the ladle and being actuated completely exteriorly of the ladle, so as to avoid the deficiencies heretofore noted in connection with the conventional ladlel and nozzle stopper rod arrangements. Further, itl-levalve receives metal flow through the `nozzle directly thereagainst to blunt the shock of metal flow, and to yield a non-turbdlent laminar molten metal flow which liasbeen heretofore unobt'ainabl'e. The valve can be accurately positioned relative to tll'e nozzlfe, sc as to yield controlled flow with heretofore unob'tainable acclll'aY-t Preferably, the nozzle andlvalve arrangenient is utilized in conne'ctionwith funnel Whichlis generally conical in configuration and which has a lower restricted outletabov'e which a pool of mplten metal of substantially constant level is maintained. By maintaining yco'nsta'rit the jnoln metal level ifi the funnel and by c'quifolling the position of the valve in accordanc'etherewith, a constant pool ofm'volten metal can be maintained in the funnel and a 'constant thron'gh the funnel opening results. The ppi'ii of the valve is vadjusted 5y a power means which irsresfponsive to metall'evel 'in the funnel, so that an accurately `controlled How independent of any erosion at the nozzle can be obtained;

y It is, therefore, an important object of the present in'- vention to 'provide a new and novel apparatus for dispensing molten nieta-l from 'a ladle or the like to obtain a controlled, ilon=turbulent o'w.

Another important object'of this invention is the provision of a molten metal ladle provided with a dispens-` ing valve and nozzle arrangement capable of providing controlled vnon-turbulent flow vof molten metal indepen- 3 dently of the level of molten metal in the ladle and independently of nozzle erosion.

It is a further important object to provide means for dispensing molten metal from a receptacle by means of an adjustable valve mechanism capable of maintaining a pool of constant head over a dispensing opening of constant size to yield a controlled non-turbulent flow of molten metal.

A still further, and no less important, object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus for dispensing molten metal through an orifice at the bottom of the metal body contacting the issuing molten metal with an obstruction to absorb the shock of the metal flow, accumulating a body of molten metal of constant depth and withdrawing molten metal from the accumulated body to provide a non-turbulent controlled metal flow.

On the drawing:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary sectional view through a molten metal receptacle or ladle illustrating the apparatus of the present invention capable of carrying out the method of the present invention;

FIGURE l-A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View taken along the plane 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the plane 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 7 through 10 diagrammatically illustrate one phase of the operation of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIGURE ll is an elevational view, somewhat schematic in nature, further illustrating the apparatus and method of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

In FIGURE l, reference numeral 20 refers generally o a molten steel ladle or receptacle, comprising metallic side walls 21 and a bottom wall 22 defining a shell which is lined with refractory material, indicated at 23.

The construction and arrangement of the shell walls 21, 22 and the refractory lining 23 is conventional in such receptacles or ladles, the bottom wall 22 having an aperture 24 thereof and the refractory lining 23 being similarly apertured, as at 25, to provide a bottom dispensing opening. Positioned in this opening, to be completely surrounded by the refractory lining, is an annular mounting block 26 formed of refractory material and having a conical opening 27 of downwardly and outwardly increasing diameter (FIGURE 1-A). Beneath the annular block 26 is an annular ring 28, also of refractory material, and a metallic mounting collar 29 which is welded or otherwise secured to the bottom structural wall 22 of the receptacle 20. A lower removable mounting ring 30 is secured to the metallic ring 29 by a suitable means, as by bolts 31 having transverse locking keys 32.

Secured to the block 26, the ring 28 and the metallic elements 29 and 30, is a refractory nozzle indicated generally at 35, this nozzle having an upper extermity 36 ush with the inner surface of the lining 23, a frusto-conical exterior surface 37 concentric with the conical surface 28 of the mounting block 26 and joined thereto by a layer 38 of refractory cement, and a depending annular skirt portion 39 having its cylindrical exterior surface snugly contacting the refractory ring 28 and the metallic mounting elements 29 and 30. The nozzle 25 is provided with an upper, relatively shallow recess 40 communicating with a vertical dispensing bore 41 which merges at its lower end into a downwardly and outwardly ared conical valve seat 42, merging through a further flared portion 43 into the inner periphery 44 of the annular skirt 39. Preferably, the refractory nozzle 35 is formed of a pyroplastic material, as is well known in the art. Such nozzles may be made from low heat-duty fire clay and are quite dense to reduce orifice erosion. Because of the low refractory properties of the material, the surface of the nozzle softens to a depth of about one-quarter (1/4) inch when in contact with molten steel. This condition provides a soft, yielding seat for the valve structure to be hereafter more fully described.

Secured to the shell side wall 21 are a pair of spaccd support plates 50 (FIGURES l, 2 and 3) projecting outwardly therefrom and joined by a transverse mounting plate 51 secured in face-toface relation to a bracket plate 52 carrying a pair of spaced, parallel journal arms 53. These journal arms have aligned trunnion apertures 54 receiving therein outwardly projecting trunnions 55 secured to a centrally located mounting block 56 carried by a vertically extending tubular casing 57 projecting generally parallel to the vertical axis of the receptacle 30. This tubular casing 57 is surmounted by a cap 53 of substantially the same configuration, closed at its upper end by a closure plate 59. Beneath the projecting side plates 50 are a pair of spaced mounting brackets 60 (FIGURE 4) also secured to the element 21.

These -brackets 60 are identical and each includes an enlarged terminal end 61 having therein a partially spherical recess 62 within which is disposed a spherical mounting ball 63, the ball being entrapped in the recess 62 in any desired manner, as by forging or otherwise upsetting the protuberances 61. The balls 63 carry laterally projecting adjusting screws 64 which are externally threaded and which are received in spherical adjusting nuts 65 entrapped in mounting brackets 67 secured to and projecting laterally from the exterior periphery of the tubular casing 57. The free ends 68 of the screws 64 are provided with flattened surfaces adapted to be engaged by a socket wrench or the like, so that rotation of the screws 64, accommodated by the spherical end bearing portions 63 thereof, will adjust the brackets 67 and the tube 57 carried thereby arcuately about the trunnions 55 heretofore described.

Disposed internally of the tubular casing 57 is an adjusting shaft 70 peripherally enclosed by a bearing block 71 secured to the inner periphery of the tubular casing, the shaft being concentrically disposed interiorly of the casing 57 to project vertically upwardly therebeyond into the cap 58. The upper end of the shaft 70 is provided with a cylindrical mounting extension 72 which abuts a similar mounting extension 73 formed at the lower end of the attaching bracket 74 carried by a rotatable actuating screw 75 projecting beyond the end plate 59 to be confined in a tubular casing 76 surmounting the plate 59. The mounting protuberances 72, 73 are enclosed in a mounting cage 77 to secure the protuberances for joint vertical deplacement while accommodating relative rotation therebetween. The screw 75 is driven by an angular drive unit 78 (FIGURE 2) receiving power from a transverse shaft 79 connected through a change speed gear set 80 with a vertical electric drive motor 81. Manual actuation 4of the angular drive unit 78 is accommodated by means of a transversely projecting shaft 82, an angular drive unit 83 and a vertically projecting shaft 84 having its lower end secured to the casing 57 by a bracket S5 which carries an angular drive unit 86 having a transversely projecting input shaft 87 which is polygonal so that it may be engaged by an actuating wrench.

Of course, it will be appreciated that actuation 0f the motor 81 to drive the output shaft 79 will rotate the screw 75 by means of the angular drive unit 78 and rotational displacement of the screw 75 will adjust the shaft 70 vertically within the tubular casing 57. Similar adjustment of the shaft vertically may be carried out by manual rotation of the input shaft 87, driving the vertical shaft 34 by means of the angular drive 86 at the lower end which contacts V a plurality Vof .angle blocks '.89 having .straight Ainner surfaces'90 `contacting `the vertical surfaces `91 ofthe shaft portion 8S. The blocks`89 are fixed against ,rotation in the circularcasing 57 by means of set screws 9.2. AA pair `of y.grease fittings`9'3 are provided to lubricate the square section`88 Lof thelshaft 70 forve'rtical displace- Ament in extended surface contact with .the 'inner surfaces 19D of the blocks 89.

The exterior diameter of the cylindrical shaft 70 4is less than '.the diameter of the squared `portionii thereof. VSo'long -as `the shaft 7Uis positioned vertically so thatthe sur-faces 91 of `the .portion 88 thereof engage the surfaces 90 yof 'the blocks 89, the shaft 70 cannot lturn Vrelative tothe surrounding casing 57. However, iffthe .shaft 70 ',Iis actuated downwardly a distance such that the portion S8 thereof "is disposed externally of the casing and only the cylindrical portion 70 thereof projects between theblocks "89'the shaft can be manually turned.

'The lower end of the shaft 70 is -provi-ded with a conical attaching portion 94 terminating in a .threaded lower extremity 95. Mounted on the conical portion 94 and keyed thereto, as it 96, is a'radial'attaching arm indicated generally 4at A-100 (FIGURE 6). This arm 100 is provided at one end `with an attaching block 101 fitted onto the Ashaft portion 94 and secured thereto, as by a .nut 9.7.

The arm 10,0 has its free cantilevered Vend provided with .Va-cylindrical recess 102 surrounded by an annular wall 103 provided with an upper out-turned lip 104 and a lower `horizontal wall 105. Mounted in the `recess 102 is afunnel structure, `indicated generally at 110, this funnel structure including an exterior metallic casing having an :upper out-turned lip 111 overlying the flange 104 of the arm 1.00, a cylindrical support wall 112 contacting .theinnerjperiphery of the arm wall 103 and a'lower, .in-

'turned eflange'113 contacting -the arm wall 105 at its lower extremity. lCemented or .otherwise bonded to the inner periphery of the portions '112 and 113 is a ceramic 'funnel .having an upper annular projection 115, a medial inwardly and downwardly sloping portion ',116 surrounding a frusto-conical inner wall 4117 and merging ,into alower dispensing outlet .118 surrounded by va ter- .minal :nose .portion 119.

Carried by the frusto-.conical wall 117 of the funnel A11'0 are ka ,plurality ofradially inwardly projecting support lns '120 (FIGURE 6.). Superimposed kon thesefins l120 is a valve body, indicated ,generally vat 121. lThis valve body 121 isformed of ceramic or refractorymaterialrand :is .bonded orotherwise secured Ito the fins to project vertically upwardly therefrom. This valve body 121 is in .two,parts, ailower Ibody portion i122 and an upperhead portion 1'23.

The bodyportion `1221is generally-cylindrical in conguration, 'having a'lower ,projection -1-24 depending betweenthelnstobe secured theretoand having an upward extremity`125 to which the headportion .123.istintegrally bonded. ,The .bodyportion 122 .is xtraversed by` a vertical -6 Pit will be appreciated that the screw 64 and the nuts 65 ,provide a means for laterally adjusting the shaft and 'the radial arm 100.integral therewith about the trunnion 55 so that thevalvebody 121 is accurately axially aligned with the nozzle bore '41.'F-urther, the electric motor 81 .and the drive train 7'5., 76, V79 and '80 provide a power means for'vertically 'adjusting the ,position of the shaft 70, the'radi'al arm i100 Vand the valve body 121. Alternatively, or inthe 'case of a power failure, manual adjustm'ent can be accomplished through the shaft 87 4and the lpower train 86, `84,83 an` d82.

Considering now the operation of the valve mechanism and assuming that the receptacle V2) contains a body of molten steel, kthe valve head 123 is positioned as illustrated inFIGURE l of the drawings, so thatthe upper surface 131) lies across the bore 41 of the `nozzle 35 with the Valve body conical exterior surfaces 128 engaging the conical seat 42 ofthenozzle Of course, under these circumstances, no flow will occur through the nozzle -bore 41. If desired, rthe nozzle bore 41 canbe packed with an exotherrnlc material (such as liber board or the like) to prevent any possibility of molten steel entering'the bore v41 and solidifying therein. The use of these exothermic packing materials in conjunction with conventionalladle nozzles'or the like .is well known, but such materials must be removed or ,fpicked from the nozzle bore prior tothe dispensing of molten metal. In the present invention such exothermic materials will 'be selfcleaning from the nozzle inasmuch as the valve element 21 is located `beneath the nozzle lbore.

`Once the dispensing of molten steel from the receptacle 2t) is desired, it is only necessary to Vactuate the motor '81 in a'direction'tolower the shaft 70. Such lowering ofthe shaft Vis accommodated by sliding movement bel-tween the polygonal shaft section 88 andthe shaft blocks 89, 'so 'thatjthe ,radial arm 100, 'thebowl '110 and the valve body-=121`n1ove1jointly away from the nozzle bore 41. Such movement of 'the va-lve head 122 away from 'the borev 4'1, of course, yallows molten steel to flow from the bore or orice 41. VSuch flow contacts the relatively flat 'headsurface `130 which lserves vto direct the molten steel radially outwardly for `liow about the valve head 122, such outward flowbeing accommodated by the frustoconical walls 42 and 43, and the radial -outward flow being confined 'by the nozzle skirt 44. Additionally, the relatively llat surface "130 of the valve head 122 also functions `to yabsorb the shock of molten metal flowing from vthe receptacle '20. This-shock is due to the hydrostatic head ofthe molten metal and, of course, the shock load on` the -surface130 diminishes'as the hydrostatichead diminishes fthrough the ynozzle. skirt39, flows into the funne-l 110.

The'upper extremity 1155 of the funnel telescopically encloses the lower region of theskirt wall 44 so there is nodanger of'molten steel splashing over the funnel. The frusto-conical wall 117 of the funnel thus receives molten metal lfr orn the nozzle, and the reduced outlet port 118 of the lfunnel will-accommodate less than'thefull ow of molten metal 'through the port 41 because the driving lforce of thehy'drostatic head in the receptacle '20 is not exerted upon metal in the funnel. Thus, there will be vcreated a pool 'of metal inthe funnel 117, the level of .this poolbeing dependentupon the ratio of the in-flow ofpmetalthrough the yorifice 41 and the out-flow of metal through yorifice -L11-8.

Surrounding the funnel and-in heat exchange relationship withrthe annular wall 103,of the arm 100 are f a .-pluralityqofheatsensitivefdevices 1.40 of well known type. These devices 146 are in heat exchange relation to the metallic wall 103 which, in turn, backs up the metal shell 112 and the refractory funnel. The devices 140 thus will give an accurate indication of the level of molten metal in the funnel, and these devices 14) control the actuation of the power means or motor S1. When the level of molten metal in the funnel 110 is higher than a'predetermined desired level, the motor 81 is actuated to elevate the shaft 70, thereby elevating the arm 190 and the valve body 121 carried thereby, to restrict the ow of molten metal through the orifice 41. When the level within the lfunnel drops below a predetermined level, as indicated by the heat sensitive devices 140, the motor S1 is actuated to lower the valve body 121 to accommodate the flow of more molten metal through the orifice 41. In this manner a substantially constant level, which fluctuates to a minor extent on either side of a predetermined level, can be maintained in the funnel.

By maintaining a constant level of molten meta-l in the funnel 110, a controlled flow through the funnel orifice 118 is obtained. By absorbing the shock of the molten Imetal by its impingement -upon the relatively at head surface 130, a non-turbulent flow is obtained at the orifice 118. Thus, it is possible to obtain a controlled, non-turbulent iiow of molten steel through the orifice 118.

As the molten steel flows through the pyroplastic refractory material constituting the nozzle 110 and the nozzle 35, and surrounding the nozzle orifice 41, some erosion of the nozzle orifice 41 is bound to occur. However, such erosion does not aiect the liow rate of molten metal from the valve assembly, since the valve body 121 can be moved upwardly to restrict the ow through the gradually enlarging, constantly eroding orifice. Additionally, as the hydrostatic head of molten metal decreases by virtue of the lowering of the molten metal in the receptacle 20 as the receptacle empties, the tiow through the orifice 41 normally would diminish. However, the valve body 121 can be moved farther away from the valve seat 42 of the nozzle 35 to accommodate a greater liow.

Thus, the device of the present invention automatically and accurately compensates for variances in the flow rate from the nozzle due to the factors of nozzle erosion and hydrostatic head variation.

Due to the impingement of the dense molten metal on the surface 130 of the valve body 12, there is necessarily going to occur some erosion of the surface 130. However, any such erosion will also be compensated for by adjusting the valve relative to the orifice 41. Of course, the valve body 121 is made of a harder refractory material than the pyroplastic refractory material constituting the nozzle. Thus, less erosion will occur. Further, the harder valve head can more accurately seal against the heat-softened refractory nozzle to maintain an accurate seal before the valve is opened, or in the event that it is desired to completely shut off metal flow after partial emptying of the receptacle.

Due to the erosion of the nozzle and the valve body, because of their contact with liowing molten metal, these parts are made readily accessible for replacemenLNormally, the nozzle and the valve head element 123 are replaced after each utilization of the receptacle or ladle 20.

Such replacement is readily accommodated by the movement of the valve assembly in a manner illustrated by comparison of FIGURES 7 through 10. More specifically, FIGURE 7 schematically illustrates the valve in its operable position. In FIGURE 8, the valve has been lowered by actuation of the motor 81 to an extent such that the polygonal section 88 of the shaft 70 is displaced beneath the guide blocks 39. As illustrated in FIGURE 9, the shaft may now be manually turned through an angle of 90 degrees and, as illustrated in FIGURE l0 of the drawings, upon reactuation of the motor 81 to elevate the shaft 70, the valve body can again be elevated prior to its replacement if desired, since the polygonal portion 8 88 of the shaft will register with the blocks 89 at any one of four rotative positions.

Once the valve body has been moved to its position of FIGURE 9 or FIGURE 10, the nozzle 35 becomes readily accessible from the bottom. Upon removal of the bolt 31 the lower retaining ring 30 can be readily dropped from its assembled position, and the refractory nozzle can then be telescopically downwardly extracted from its position within the block 26. It is now merely necessary to upwardly telescopically insert a fresh nozzle which is cemented into position, the ring 30 is then returned to its position of FIGURE l, the bolt 31 is re-inserted, and the locking key 32 slipped into place.

It will be noted from FIGURE 1 that the funnel orifice 118, the valve body bore 126 and the valve head recess 131 are -axially aligned. This axial alignment accommodates the insertion of a rod-like tool axially through the nozzle orifice 118 and through the bore 126 into engagement of the under surface of the valve head 123. Upon striking such a rod-like element, the valve head 123 can be removed from its illustrated position, and a new valve head installed on the flange 125 of the valve element 122.

Following these maintenance measures, it is merely necessary to reverse the procedures heretofore described to progressively assume the positions of FIGURES 10, 9, 8 and 7 in sequence, so that the ladle or receptacle 20 is ready for its next utilization.

Embodment of FIGURE 11 As heretofore described, the flow control apparatus and the method of the present invention have been applied primarily to a steel ladle or receptacle for molten metal. In FIGURE 1l of the drawings there is illustrated such a ladle 20 utilized in conjunction with a degassing apparatus, indicated generally at 150.

More specifically, the ladle 20 is provided with a nozzle 35 and an actuating valve body 121 (not shown) carried by the tubular support arm 57 provided withthe actuating mechanism heretofore described in detail. The ladle 20 is supported in a suitable manner, as by being suspended from an overhead crane engaging ladle trunnions 141 by means of crane hooks 142 carried by the cable 143.

The ladle 20 is thus suspended over the degassing apparatus so that molten metal from the ladle 20 and issuing through the nozzle 35 will enter an open-topped well 151 formed at the upper extremity of the apparatus 150. This well is surrounded by an annular wall 152 which projects upwardly from the cover portion 153 of the degassing vessel indicated generally at 155 and enclosing an interior space 156. The space 156 can be evacuated by means of a conduit 157 communicating with a conventional vacuum drawing apparatus (not shown). The lower end of the vessel 155 is provided with a nozzle 35 of the type heretofore described, the egress of metal from the nozzle 35 being controlled by a valve mechanism identical with that heretofore described and carried by an actuating arm 100. The actuating arm 100 is vertically adjustable by means of the heretofore described mechanism enclosed within the vertical tubular housing 57.

The vessel 155 is supported on a movable mounting frame including a vertical outboard leg 160 carrying wheels 161 engaging with a track rail 162 and a second, shorter, inboard leg 163 carrying wheels 164 engageable with a track rail 165 carried by a laterally projecting portion 166 of the plant floor. A vertically projecting guide leg 167 carries a transversely projecting extension 168 for stabilizing the carriage 160.

The carriage 160 is of suicient height to locate the degassing vessel 155 over an ingot mold 170 carried on a truck 171 of conventional design and utilizing support wheels contacting rails 173.

In use, the steel furnace is tapped into the ladle 20, and the molten metal issues from the orifice 35 under the control of the heretofore described valve mechanism iinto the'upperwell `1"51.of thedegassingmechanism. This 'well-communicates 'withthevacuum chamber 156 .through ya reduced dispensing foriice 158, so `that the -molten vmetal iows downwardly intothe vacuum chamber156. When initially utilized, the lorifice 1581is closed by la fusible 'disc 'which is melted *by `the body of molten metal in the lwell`151. The -reducing pressure generated inthe 'chamber 156 will `aid-'the lhead 'of molten metal Vin the `well 151 in flowing molten metal "through "the 'orifice 158 into the 'chamber 156. As fthe molten ymetal enters 'the Ievacuated chamber 156. any entrapped for Vincluded gases will be drawn therefrom, and a 'pool l5159 of substantially lgasfree molten metal will form in the `chamber l1'56. When the hydrostatic Shead of Ithe pool Aof lmolten metal 159 overcomes the 4ryacuum "drawn yin the -chamber 156, "this 'molten metal fwill be dispensed through the nozzle 55 of the vessel 155.

By utilizing fthe ladle 1Z0 fand the vessel v1'55 in combin'ation-and by providing each with the 'nozzle and valve structure of the present `-invention, 'a controlled non- "turbulent flow of v`molten metal ycan be 'obtained from the ladle into the relatively shallow well l151, 'and from the chamber 1561into't`he ingot mold170 lwith a minimum of splashing and without regard to the hydrostatic head existing over the nozzle;

"Thus, "it 'will :be readily apparent that fthe present -invenvtion provides a novel method of and apparatus for dispensing molten metal. The advantages residingin the present-'invention include, but are -not limitedto, the following:

I. The dispensing 'o'fwmolten `metal as a controlled-nonturbulent stream, yin'clependentof such operational -factors as:

(a) `The`hydrostatic head of l'molten inetal in the receptacle,

(b) `The 'shock load "of the dense, high pressure molten metal, andor '(c) Any erosion of "either thenozzle "or the valve;

II. The utilityof basically the same vdispensing structure, 'whether the molten metal is utilized (a) in casting an ingot in a conventional ingot mold, (b) in casting slabs 'or thelike in acontinuous casting machine, or (c) indegassing prior tov casting:

III. The portions of the apparatus subject to erosion andi/or degradation during usefeg., the nozzle 35 and the valve head'123, are easily replaceable;

IV. The support of the valve body 121 on the cantilever radial arm `100 which is supported for vertical movement bv the casing `57 tiltable relative to the receptacle 20 aifords accurate l'alignment of the valve body and `the nozzle, insures `accurate valving motion of the valve body, and provides readyaccess to the replaceable parts ofthe assembly;

V. The utilization of theiheat sensitive-sensing means 140 insures the maintenance of 'a substantially constant level of molten metal in the funnel "110 and, in conjunction with theconstant orili'ce f118, insures ya controlled flow of moltenmetal from the valve assembly;

VI. The controlled metal llow, free of turbulence, issuing from the valve assembly 'allows the elimination of the heretofore required tundish -in continuous casting apparatus,the dispensing directly-from la ladle directly into 'the shallow pool 151'of the degasser of FIGURE l1, and 'thepouring intofan ingot mold without'deleterious vsplash- Ing.

Having "thus described :and 'disclosed `my invention in the foregoing specification and accompanyingjdrawings,

what Iclaim as new is:

1. In 'a receptacle for'moltenmetal, a dispensingvalve structure `including vvsupport means mounted on Vsaid 're- 'ceptacle eXteriOrly-thereOf, `a generally vertically disposed support arm carried by said support means, adjusting `means for moving said support arm vertically relative to 'said supportmeansand'said receptacle, 'a radial arm on the lower end of said support arm underlying said recep- "taclegavalve body carried by Isaid radial arm and prodit) :jecting upwardly 'therefrom Y,beneath said receptacle, .said

yvalve bo'dy having =a substantially flatvgupper surface and 'a nozzle fixed to .said receptacle and yover1ying--said valve 4.body,.saidnozzle havin-g arbore of across-sectional area -less than said surface therethrough .and communicating with the interior Yof :said 4receptacle vand said valve .body

projecting fromisaidrfadial arm into valvingrelat'ion with ysaid xnozzle #bore whereby `said adjustment :means will .move said valve .-body vertically with Trespect 'to said nozzlebore.

2. In a-receptacle for pmolten drietal, .adispensing-valve structure including a lsupport `tube ymounted on :said .receptacle exteriorly thereof, a generally vertically disposed -support .shaft-disposed interiorly of saidl tube and carried thereby, :means for A moving said support .shaft vertically tacle, -avalve body .carried by said radial varm and .p'rojecting Vupwardly therefrom beneath said receptacle, ainozzle fixed to said receptacle andoverlyinfg said valve body, said nozzle having a bore therethrough communicating with the :interior of 4said receptacle .and said valve body projecting from said radialarm into'va'lv'ing reation with said nozzle bore, said nozzle bore and said valve body being concentrically aligned kthroughout `said Yrange of vertical movement, and means accommodating relative rotation of said shaft and vsaid tube and .misalignment of said nozzle bore ,andfsaid valve body when said shaft is moved relativetosaid tube heyond'saidrange.

`31. .In a receptacle for molten metal, a dispensing valve structure including a refractory nozzle located adjacent the bottom of said receptacle and having a substantially vertical bore forming an .outlet orifice for the Vreceptacle contents, said nozzle defining a conical valve seat at 'the lower extremity of fsaid bore, a vrefractory valve head disposed beneathsaid nozzle and vertically movable relative thereto from an upper lposition at which the head is in sealing engagement with said -nozzle valve seat to a lowerposition at which the 'head is sp'aced from said vnozzle valve seat to accommodate the dispensing 'of 'the receptacle contents, a generally conical funnel substantially `concentric with said head and said nozzle, means rigidly .interconnecting said funnel and said head, a'supp'ort arm carried by said receptacle and on which said funnel is supported 'for vertical movement between itsupper and lower positions, actuatable ,power actuating means for moving said arm up and down relative to said receptacle, thereby .adjusting .said funnel and said head vertically relative to the receptacle and the nozzle, and means responsive to the level of molten metal in said funnel for actuating said ;power.-me'ans.

4. In a receptacle 'for molten metal, said receptacle including a refractory lined metallic shell having a bo'ttom wall provided with an aperture therein, a dispensing valve comprising a refractory nozzle ypositioned in said aperture and having a'vertical"bore,^a'vertically displaceable valve supportarm carriedby the 'receptacle shell and projecting beneath said receptacle, a refractory valve body carried by said support arm to project upwardly therefrom in axial alignment with lsaid bore, said valve body including a flat upper portion of greater diameter than Vsaid bore and normally c'on'tacting'the underside .of said nozzle to close saidnozzle "bore, and means for displacing said support arm vertically downwardly spacing said valve body portion `from said nozzle to accommodate ythe 'ow of molten'metal from said nozzle'ibore for `direct impingement on said upper portion.

5. In a receptacle 'for'molten steel Yor 'the like molten metal, a refractory nozzleilocated adjacent the lower end of `said receptacle and having Va 'bore communicating with the vinterior 'df said receptacle, Aa "refractory 'valve body located beneath `vsaidnozzle and having -an upper extremity movable relative to said nozzle to control the flow of metal from the receptacle through said nozzle bore, means dening a conical refractory funnel beneath and carried by said valve body, means defining an annular flange circumscribing the nozzle and the valve body to peripherally confine the flow of molten metal from the nozzle and valve body, actuatable power means for moving said valve body and funnel vertically to accommodate a variable fiow of molten metal through said nozzle bore against said upper extremity of said valve body and into said funnel, and control means responsive to the level of molten metal in said funnel to actuate said power means.

6. In a receptacle for molten steel or the like molten metal, a refractory nozzle located adjacent the lower end of said receptacle and having a bore communicating with the interior of said receptacle, a refractory valve body located beneath said nozzle and having an upper extremiity normally engageable with said nozzle to interdict the flow of metal from the receptacle through said nozzle bore, means defining a conical refractory funnel beneath said valve body, means secur-ing said valve body and said funnel into assembly for joint displacement, power means for displacing said valve body and funnel vertically to accommodate and to control the flow of molten metal through said nozzle bore against said upper extremity of said valve body and into said funnel, and means responsive to the level of molten metal in said funnel for actuating said power means.

7. In a receptacle for molten metal, said receptacle including a refractory lined metallic shell having a bottom wall provided with an aperture therein and a pyroplastic refractory nozzle positioned in said aperture and having a vertical bore surrounded by a dependent annular fiange, the improvements of a valve mechanism completely external to said receptacle and including a vertically displaceable valve support arm carried by the receptacle shell for movement relative thereto, said arm underlying said nozzle, a valve body carried by said arm for displacement therewith and projecting upwardly through said nozzle ange in axial alignment with said nozzle bore, said valve body including a fiat upper surface of greater diameter than said bore and contactable with the underside of sa-id nozzle to close said nozzle bore, and means for vertically displacing said support arm, displacement of said support arm vertically correspondingly spacing `said valve body surface from said nozzle to control the ow of molten metal from said nozzle bore and said nozzle flange peripherally confining said molten metal ow.

8. In a receptacle for molten metal, said receptacle including a refractory lined metallic shell having a bottom wall provided with an aperture therein and a pyroplastic refractory nozzle positioned in said aperture and having a vertical bore, the improvements of a valve mechanism completely external to said receptacle and including a vertically displaceable valve support arm carried by the receptacle shell and having an annular collar concentric with and underlying said nozzle, a generally conical funnel carried by said collar and having inwardly projecting support fins, and a refractory valve body surmountng said fins and projecting upwardly in axial alignment with said nozzle bore, said valve body including an upper substantially fiat surface of greater diameter than said bore and normally contacting the underside of said nozzle to close said nozzle bore, displacement of said support arm vertically downwardly spacing said valve body surface from said nozzle to accommodate the fiow of molten metal from said nozzle bore for direct impingement on said surface prior to the flow of metal into said funnel.

9. In a receptacle for molten metal, a dispensing valve structure including a refactory nozzle located adjacent t the bottom of said receptacle and having a substantially vertical bore forming an outlet orifice for the receptacle contents, said nozzle defining a conical valve seat at the lower extremity of said bore and having an annular depending skirt concentric with said bore, a refractory valve body disposed beneath said nozzle and having an upper head lsurface vertically movable relative to said nozzle from an upper position at which the head surface is in sealing engagement with said nozzle valve seat to a lower position at which the head surface is spaced from said nozzle valve seat to accommodate the dispensing of the receptacle contents, said head surface being at all times surrounded by said annular nozzle fiange, a generally conical funnel substantially concentric with said head and said nozzle, radial support fins on said funnel supporting said head, a cantilevered radial arm on which said funnel is 'supported for vertical movement between its upper and lower positions, a vertical support arm fixedly secured to said radial arm, a vertical housing fixed to said receptacle and surrounding said vertical support arm, and power actuating means operatively interposed between 'said housing and said vertical support arm to actuate said vertical support arm up and down relative to said receptacle, thereby jointly moving said radial arm, said funnel and said head vertically relative to the receptacle and the nozzle.

1f). In a receptacle as defined in claim 6 wherein the receptacle is a de-gassing chamber, means for evacuating the chamber prior to and during the introduction of molten steel thereinto, and the power means actuated by the means responsive to the level of the molten metal in the funnel independently of the level of molten metal in said evacuated chamber.

11. In a de-gassing apparatus for molten metalfa first receptacle for molten steel, a second receptacle, means for evacuating said second receptacle, said second receptacle receiving steel from said first receptacle and discharging molten steel into a final receptacle, each of said first and second receptacles, respectively, being provided with a dispensing valve structure including a refractory nozzle located adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, respectively, and having a substantially vertical bore forming an outlet orifice for the respective receptacle contents, said nozzle defining a conical valve seat at the lower extremity of said bore, a refractory valve head disposed beneath said nozzle and vertically movable relative thereto from an upper position at which the head is in sealing engagement with said nozzle valve seat to a lower position at which the head is spaced from 'said nozzle valve seat to accommodate the dispensing of the receptacle contents, a generally conical funnel substantially concentric with said head and said nozzle, means rigidly interconnecting said funnel and said head, a support arm carried by each said receptacle and on which said funnel is supported for vertical movement between its upper and lower positions, actuatable power actuating means for moving said arm up and down relative to the respective receptacle, thereby adjusting said funnel and said head vertically relative to the receptacle and the nozzle, and means responsive to the level of molten metal in said funnel for actuating said power means.

12. In a receptacle for molten steel or the like molten metal, a nozzle located adjacent the lower end of said receptacle and having a bore communicating with the interior of said receptacle, a valve body located below said nozzle and having an upper extremity movable in a vertical straight line path defined by the axis of said nozzle bore 'to control the flow of metal from the receptacle through said nozzle bore, means defining a chamber helow and carried by said valve body, means defining an annular flange circumscribing the nozzle and the valve body to peripherally conne the flow of molten metal from the nozzle and valve body, and actuatable power means externally of said receptacle for moving said valve body and 'said chamber along the vertical straight line path to accommodate a variable flow of molten metal through said nozzle bore against said upper extremity of said valve body and into said chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/ 1893 Morris 222-505 5/ 1904 Draver 222-461 12/ 1919 Earnshaw 164--124 2/ 1923 Harris 137-408 12/ 1924 Baurichter.

1 4 2,832,110 4/ 1958 Carleton 222-504 2,961,722 11/ 1960 Lilljekvist et al 222-567 FOREIGN PATENTS 228,418 7/ 1963 Austria. 1,205,919 8/ 1959 France. 132,781 1/ 1961 Russia.

J. SPENCER oVERHoLsER, Prim@ Examiner. 10 R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,354,939 November 28, 1967 Albert Calderon It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby Corrected as shown below:

Column l, line S0, "imparts" should read impacts Column 2, line 19, "for" should read of Column 3, line 64, "extermity" Should read extremity Column 4, line 2l, "30" should read 20 line 56, "deplacement" should read displacement Column S, line 29, "it" should read at Column l0, line 5, cancel "therethrough"; line 19, after "radial" insert arm Signed and sealed this 12th day of August 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer 

12. IN A RECEPTACLE FOR MOLTEN STEEL OR THE LIKE MOLTEN METAL, A NOZZLE LOCATED ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID RECEPTACLE AND HAVING A BORE COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID RECEPTABLE, A VALVE BODY LOCATED BELOW SAID NOZZLE AND HAVING AN UPPER EXTREMLY MOVABLE IN A VERTICAL STRAIGHT LINE PATH DEFINED BY THE AXIS OF SAID NOZZLE BORE TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF METAL FROM THE RECEPTABLE THROUGH SAID NOZZLE BORE, MEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER BELOW AND CARRIED BY SAID VALVE BODY, MEANS DEFINING AN ANNULAR FLANGE CIRCUMSCRIBING THE NOZZLE AND THE VALVE BODY TO PERIPHERALLY CONFINE THE FLOW OF MOLTEN METAL FROM THE NOZZLE AND VALVE BODY, AND ACTUATABLE POWER MEANS EXTERNALLY OF SAID RECEPTACLE FOR MOVING SAID VALVE BODY AND SAID CHAMBER ALONG THE VERTICAL STRAIGHT LINE PATH TO ACCOMMODATE A VARIABLE FLOW OF MOLTEN METAL THROUGH SAID NOZZLE BORE AGAINST SAID UPPER EXTREMITY OF SAID VALVE BODY AND INTO SAID CHAMBER. 